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Venturi or Automobiles Venturi achieved iconic status as a prime manufacturer of sports cars. At the height of its involvement in car racing, it competed toe to toe with Italy’s Ferrari, the French Bugatti and the German Porsche. These industry giants dominated the racing circuit in Europe. In fact, countless times have the Venturi shown superiority against its acknowledged rivals. But in 2001, Monegasque millionaire Gildo Pallanca Pastor bought the rights to the French Automobile Company and soon enough diverted focus to the production of eco-friendly, green cars.

Under new management, Venturi produced the world’s first ever two-seater electric sports car and aptly named it the Venturi Fetish, produced from its Monaco facility. It could have made a big splash over green car advocates but production has been limited to only 25 vehicles. Thus, worldwide only a select few can test the viability of the Venturi Fetish as a sports car, the rest will simply think of it as a concept car.

The Fetish has been designed to perform comparably with sports cars. Equipped with petrol-powered engines, its batteries can produce 250 horsepower (180kW) with acceleration gauged at 0-100kph (0-60mph) for just less than 5 seconds, according to a 2007 press review. Achieving a top speed of 160 kph (100mph) however falls way below its gas-powered counterparts. Nevertheless, this is already considered respectable since the Fetish runs on only on a single gear and is devoid of a need for a sophisticated transmission system. The torque runs constant at 200 Nm and translates this into a ratio of 9.58: 1.

One aspect that makes the car smart is its electric traction motor. The motor delivers constant Nm torque in all phases of the car’s speed spectrum, including the dead stop phase, unlike combustion engines where torque is delivered progressively and full power is only available at defined rpm ranges. The company specification has indicated Lithium-Ion accumulators as the battery pack and the car covers a maximum range of 250 kilometers on one full charge. Complete battery recharging can de done in an hour (under 30kW three phase) and 3 hours on a standard home outlet via its built-in charger.

The Fetish is built lightweight, made entirely of carbon fiber that employed extensive use of available technologies, particularly from the aeronautics sector. It is completely controlled by microprocessors; the intention being to encourage satisfying drives while ensuring reliability and safety while on the road. To promote the viability of an electric car as a major mode of transport, the Venturi Fetish has embarked on a 2-year world trip. The result has been gratifying so far for this changed public perception over its system.

The design innovation expounded by Venturi shows that there is a better and exciting alternative to petrol powered cars. This suggests that the very essence of automobile tradition – rarity, character and passion are all embodied in this compact electric sports car. Some of it may have found expression in the smooth and delicately formed front wings, projecting brutish appeal and agility, contours that mimic ballet dancers in motion and a general feel and passion reminiscent of cars in the 1950s.

The business of automotive detailing is alive and well and there is no doubt about that. Americans love their cars and some more than their own kids or family. Generally one’s car is the second largest investment they will make and they will wish to keep it up and protect it. What a better way than to protect the paint and have it professionally cleaned and detailed? Well as a retired businessman of 27 years in the industry that works for me and I am perfectly okay with that concept and have learned a lot about customer service.

Customer service is essential in the auto detailing business and it starts before the job, as you must explain to the customer what you can and cannot do to help their car. Some times large scratches down to the metal cannot be repaired by simple detailing and that must be explained to eliminate false expectations. In auto detailing you want to over deliver on expectations and thus continue to get great referrals. This is why the pre-service customer service is so vitally important, but what about the post-service customer service?

Well after the service it is important to walk around the car with the customer and show them every thing you had cleaned and how it was done. Additionally it is important to leave a little something such as a rose or a mint on console for the customer with a little car thanking them, with a little notation telling them that any future referrals from them will lead to a discount on future services. Consider all this in 2006.

Putting ideas together in a book or collection is not a new concept. People have been doing this for ages from the new bathroom remodel to the landscape in the backyard. I haven’t seen it done too often with auto interiors. I’ve also seen a lot of people unhappy because they didn’t get exactly what they wanted, mostly due to mis communication.

I run an auto interior business and If a customer doesn’t bring in pictures we always make an internet search part of the design process. It’s too difficult to get into someone else’s mind. A good concept book gives focus and direction to your project and helps the designer/upholsterer get a better grasp on what you really want.

I love when a customer comes in with a hand full of pictures of what they want and don’t want in their interior project. Most of the time we come out of the design meeting with fresh ideas inspired by the book without copying someone else’s designs directly. Custom interiors should be custom to the owner of the vehicle and their personality and style.

What is a Concept Book?

A concept book doesn’t even have to be a book, maybe it’s a computer file or a folder full of pictures and upholstery material ideas. I’ve had customers come in to a design meeting with pictures saved to their phone. Whatever works for you, is what works for me. It’s always easier for the auto interior designer to have an idea of what you want and even what you don’t want. The communication will be so much clearer and you are far less likely to be disappointed because the picture in your mind translated to something different when you explain your concept to the designer or upholsterer.

What to Include in a Concept Book

Some things that you should keep in your “book” are definitely color ideas and color combinations that you are thinking about. This will narrow down the fabric choices you have to make with the upholsterer and they will more than likely know what fabrics to show you based on your color choices without wasting your time and theirs looking at things you don’t want. Upholstery material type and fabric texture is also something to consider. After all, a high shine vinyl will have a different effect than antique leather.

Save lots of pictures of different interior ideas from the internet and magazines, this is probably where most of your ideas will come from. The beauty of auto interior design is that it can be applied to any type of vehicle. What looks good in a new model BMW will look just as good in a 46 Chevy, Ford, etc. so look at everything.

Other sources of Inspiration

If you can make it to a car show in your area, I highly recommend it. Car shows can give you lots of ideas and inspiration for your project and the best part is you can meet the car owners and get their advice too. Anyone you meet at a car show is a good reference. It’s a given that they love cars and more than likely they like talking about their car and any new car projects that might be coming up (your car). Most of these guys and ladies have built a car or two and will probably have pointers for you beyond just your interior concept. It’s always better to learn from someone else’s experience than your own hindsight, they will also have leads on good mechanic’s, paint & body shops and upholstery shops in your area. So have fun, look around, take pictures and then get started!